Cradles to Crayons Celebrates its First Year of Community Impact in Chicago

Chicago landmarks join in support of the nonprofit’s first year of service

(Chicago, IL - September 18, 2017) - Cradles to Crayons®, a nonprofit organization that equips children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive, is thrilled to recognize its first full year of service in Chicago this month. Saturday, September 23, 2017 marks the anniversary of the organization’s launch, in which they have served 47,211 kids within that period.

Cradles to Crayons (C2C®) provides children and families in need with clothing, shoes, books, school supplies, and developmentally-appropriate toys to help children feel safe, valued and ready to learn at home and in school. In support of the organization’s first year of service, participating Chicago buildings throughout the city will join C2C in spreading their message through a variety of ways. The public can expect to see some of the city’s most iconic locations illuminated purple as well as anniversary banners, some of the participating locations are:

• 440 South LaSalle
• Aon Center
• Crain Communications Building
• John Hancock Center
• Two Prudential Plaza
• Willis Tower
• Wrigley Building

“As a Chicagoan, I am so proud of our community and our business partners who’ve come together to serve over 47,000 local kids in need. But it’s not just a cause – behind that number are individual kids, each of whom has a story and all of whom deserve to grow, learn, and play without worrying about their basic needs,” said Bernard Cherkasov, Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago. “We are proud of the impact we have made in Chicago so far and are eager to serve many more children who are counting on us.”

Facts about Cradles to Crayons First Year of Service:

• 47,211 children were served by Cradles to Crayons in Chicago
• 10,471 volunteers helped serve local children in Chicago
• 20,386 hours were spent by volunteers at the Giving Factory
• 17,334 backpacks were filled in this year’s Backpack-A-Thon
• 27,972 well wish notes were written
• 34 donation drop-off locations opened throughout Chicago
• 23,000 articles of clothing were processed
• 17,758 books were sorted
• 922 pieces of baby gear were delivered
• 1,292 pairs of shoes were cleaned
• 7,500 toys were checked for quality
• Cradles to Crayons held 182 clothing drives in the past year
• 48 schools throughout Chicago helped donate with Cradles to Crayons
• $33 helps provide one child with the everyday essentials they need for an entire season

The community is encouraged to participate in the celebration by donating birthday gifts for children in need. C2C will accept new, unwrapped children’s toys at their Chicago Giving Factory or any of their drop-off locations. Find a drop-off location near you here.

About Cradles to Crayons

Cradles to Crayons launched in 2002 and has operations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The nonprofit provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. Cradles to Crayons mobilizes communities of plenty on behalf of communities of need, recycling and reusing high-quality children’s goods and engaging thousands of youth and adults in tangible service activities each year that benefit local children. For more information, please visit https://cradlestocrayons.org/chicago.

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